I was delighted to see Pilgrimage return to our screens on BBC Two on Friday night.
In a shouty world where nobody seems to listen to each other, this series is an absolute tonic – whether you’re religious or not.
This year, the seven celebs are on the road to the Scottish Isles, on a rainy hike from Donegal up into the Highlands and Outer Hebrides.
They’re following in the footsteps of St Columba and each of them hopes it will be a journey of self-discovery – if only they can cope with the blisters and aching muscles (and the regret that they didn’t sign up for the earlier series in sunny Spain and Italy).
As always, the casting is great. The group is made up of people with completely different faiths, who are nonetheless respectful and interested in what their companions believe.
Gogglebox break-out star Scarlett Moffatt reveals she’s a devout Christian but she doesn’t usually like to talk about it for fear of being laughed at.
She gets upset when the rest of the walkers don’t understand the significance of a relic along the route, but there’s room for a refreshingly honest conversation.
Then there’s cricketer Monty Panesar, a practising Sikh, who is fascinated to learn more about another faith, and even asks for a blessing in church.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is also along for the experience – he’s a Pagan and a dedicated follower of fashion, wearing his usual dandy get-up rather than the recommended waterproof trousers.
As the walk gets under way, former Apprentice legend and Countdown host Nick Hewer talks honestly about his life as an agnostic and admits that as he gets older, he wonders whether there might be comfort in finding faith – if only he could find something to truly believe in.
Former Emmerdale star Louisa Clein is open about her complex relationship with her Jewish faith. She grew up not really understanding or practising her own religion but is determined to make sure her children are raised differently.
Paralympian Will Bayley – a lapsed Christian – and Muslim comic Shazia Mirza complete the line-up.
There’ll be a few tears and creaking limbs along the way – and some terrible navigation – but this is an uplifting series, full of heart-warming surprises.
It makes me think that a pilgrimage might be a useful trip for all of us to take, whether for holy reasons or just to get some headspace.
